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Need to move your pet to San José, Costa Rica (SJC)?

Allow our skilled pet shipping team to assist you, whether it’s for domestic or international pet transportation. Count on our experienced professionals to guarantee the safe arrival of your beloved pet.

Our San José pet shipping services include:

  • Door to door transport, both international and domestic

  • Assistance with health certificates, import certificates, and other travel documents.

  • USDA endorsement of all relevant documents where required

  • Airline approved flight kennels provided with personalized labels, identification and emergency notification instructions

  • Customs clearance and delivery to your home

  • Local pet taxi service to and from the airport, your home, veterinarian or kennel/boarding facility – available in the US and Costa Rica

  • Travel consultation and cargo flight reservations


We will inform you of your pet’s full itinerary before the trip and we will update you as your pet travels to or from San José Mineta International Airport (SJC).

Paperwork and veterinary requirements | Our Process

It’s best to have Transcontinental Pet Movers or an equally qualified IPATA agent help guide and plan your pet’s pre-move preparations. For now, the following information serves as a guide in order to prepare your pet to enter Costa Rica.


Microchip

Must be administered before any other veterinary procedures.


  • Dogs and cats must be identifiable by microchip. There are no exceptions to this rule.

  • The microchip should be ISO compliant and 15 digits long.If your pet does not have an ISO complaint chip, your pet will have to travel with a microchip reader attached to the crate. Alternatively, your vet can implant a new ISO complaint chip in addition to the existing non-ISO compatible chip.
    After implanting the chip, your pet will have to be revaccinated in order for the new vaccination to be valid.


Vaccinations

All vaccinations more than 30 days but within 1 year of export.


  • Both: Rabies vaccination

  • Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus (DHLPP) and Bordetella.

  • Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia (FVRCP)


Paperwork Requirements


Health Examination for Health Certificate

Must be conducted within 7 days of departure.


  • At this point in your pet’s move, one of our pet shipping specialists will pre-complete the correct health certificate and email it to your veterinarian for signature at the physical appointment. We provide all documents and are available to answer any questions and troubleshoot issues that may arise.

  • Internal and External Parasite treatments required.


USDA Endorsement

Must be completed before departure.


  • After your pet has been examined by your veterinarian and the health certificate has been completed and signed, the health certificate must be submitted to the USDA office to be endorsed. Transcontinental Pet Movers will coordinate this process with your doctor.

  • If a military veterinarian completes your pet’s health certificate, the USDA endorsement is not needed. A military veterinarian is a Veterinary Corps Officer or civilian GS-0701 series government veterinarian employed by the U.S Army Veterinary Service.


Import Permit

Must be completed before departure.


  • An import permit issued by Costa Rica is required for unaccompanied pets.


The requirements above for moving your pet to Costa Rica can also be found on USDA’s website.

Airport Information

San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is the main international airport for US based pets to arrive in Costa Rica. Transcontinental Pet Movers can arrange for further transport to another city after arrival.

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